Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

I can’t believe the holiday season is in full swing! Our calendars are already booked with festive parties and holiday work events. Whether I am hosting a party at home or bringing an appetizer to a friend’s, a charcuterie board is my go-to (no cooking required) appetizer – and it’s always a crowd favorite!  Read on below for everything you need to make a beautiful and delicious board of your own.

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

The Board

The key to a successful charcuterie spread is a large cheese tray or cutting board to beautifully display everything. You’ll need a few essential pieces including a cheese board, cheese knives, and a couple of small bowls for nuts, olives, and spreads. I’ve linked a few of my favorite board essentials below.

-Shop Cheese Trays & Cheese Knives-

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

Cheese!

The star of a charcuterie board is of course the cheese. Go for an assortment of colors, textures, and heights to make the spread visually interesting. A few crowd-pleaser cheeses are Manchego, English cheddar, brie, aged smoked gouda (my personal favorite!), and blue (for boldness and color).

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie

Charcuterie is by definition cold cooked meats, like prosciutto, sopressata, and Jamon. Adding a couple of these meats is the key difference between a cheese board and a “charcuterie board”! Prosciutto is always a guest favorite. 

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

Fruit & Veggies

It’s always nice to balance your meats and cheeses with fresh fruit and veggies. Slice some apples and radishes, and throw a vine of grapes on the board for added color and sweetness. Pickled veggies and olives are also fun to sprinkle in for bold salty flavors.

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

Nuts & Spreads

Use small bowls to hold salty snacks like nuts and trail mix, as well as sweet spreads, like fig jam and honey, that pair nicely with your meats and cheeses. Now you officially have a little something for everyone on the board!

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

Bread & Crackers

A charcuterie board is not complete without tasty bread and/or crackers! Buy a fresh baguette and heat it in the oven and slice it right before guests arrive to really impress. Have an assortment of crackers that also appeal to gluten-free guests. These GF almond flour crackers are delicious! 

Make Entertaining Easy by creating a Charcuterie Board

What is your favorite appetizer to have out for guests when they arrive? Let us know in the comments below!